Refrigerator



(No Model.) I

J. vSTEPHENSON.

REFRIGERATOR.

No. 334,726. Patented Jan. 19, 1886.

j? I If V.

WITNESSES N. PETERS, Phnlo-Lifihugmphen Washingion. D. Q

IINITED STATES PATENT 'rricE.

JAMES STEPHENSON, OF EAST ST. LOUIS, ILLINOIS.

REFRIGERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 334,726, dated January 19, 1886.

Application filed August 31, 1885. Serial No. 175,739. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES STEPHENSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at East St. Louis, in the county of St. Clair and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Refrigerators, ofwhich the following is a specification, reference be ing had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to that class of refrigerators in which provision is made for cutting off communication between the icechamber and storingchamber when the door of the latter is opened, so as to prevent the entrance of heated air to the ice-chamber, and thus prevent the unnecessary expenditure of ice.

My invention has for its object to provide for a free circulation of air through the refrigerator when closed, so as to keep the articles contained therein in good condition and avoid the usual contamination due to foul and stagnant air therein.

To this end my invention consists in a re frigcrator having an independent ice-chamber and provision-chamber and an intermediate space, in which is located a sliding counter-balance, which when down shuts off communication between the two, but leaves free spaces for the circulation of fresh air throughout the interior, as more fully hereinafter specified.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a vertical sectional view of my improved refrigerator, taken on the line at m of Fig. 2; and Fig. 2 represents a vertical sectional view taken at right angles to that shown in Fig. 1.

The letter A indicates the body of the refrigerator, which is constructed of double packed walls, or in any other approved manner.

B indicates the ice-chamber, which is located at one side of the refrigerator. above the level of theprovision-chamber. Between the ice-chamber and the outer front wall is located a partition, 0, forming a space, D, open at the bottom, in which is arranged to slide a counterbalance plate, E, which forms the door shutting off communication between the two compartments when down.

The letter F indicates the provision-chamber, which is located in front of the ice-chamber, and is provided with a hinged lid, G, at the top. The said lid has connected to it the ends of the cords H, which pass over the 5 pulleys I, and have connected to their other ends the counterbalance E, before mentioned. Near the top of the ice-chamber is located a partition, K, which leaves a space between the same and the top L, which is provided 6 with an opening, M, for the escape of air. The said space has communication with the space in which the counterbalance plate slides, by means of openings P, so as to afford a passage for the air from the provision- 6 chamber upward and out of the refrigerator, the counterbalance-plate being made smaller in area than the space in which it moves, in order to provide a free circulation around it, as indicated by the arrows.

The advantages of my improved refrigerator are that the counter-balance cuts off communication between the ice and provision chamber when the lid of the latter is lifted, thus preventing the ingress of warm air to7j the ice-chamber and the consequent melting of the ice, and when the lid is down permitting a free circulation of air throughout the porvision-chamber around the ice-chamber, thus obviating the objections due to foul and stag- 8; nant air in the ordinary refrigerators.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, in a refrigerator, of 85 the ice-chamber B and provision-chamber F, the hinged door G, cord H, and counterbalance E, arranged to slide in a space, D, the sad counterbalance being of less area than the space, whereby a passage for the air up- 9( ward out of the provision-chamber is provided, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with the ice-chamber B, having spaces at its front and top, and an opening, M, of the provision-chamber, its 95 hinged door, and the sliding counter-balance, of less area than the space in which it slides, the said balance serving to shut off communication between the ice and provision chambers when the door is opened and permit the K ventilation of said provision-chamber when the door is closed, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES STEPHENSON.

Witnesses:

GILEs HALL, v SYLvEsTER MAHANY. 

